Method of and means for propelling water craft



May 19-, 1931. A. M K. PRATT 1,805,597 I METEOD OF AND MEANS FOR PBOPELLING WATER CRAFT Filed Feb. 19, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 19, 1931. A, cm PRATT 1,805,597

METHOD 0? AND MEANS FOR PROPELLING wmaa CRAFT Filed Feb. L9, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 89 May 19, 193-1. m, PRATT 1,865,597

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR PROPELLING WATER CRAFT Filed Feb. 19, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 the-driving means are in operation- Patented MaylQ, 1931 METHOD or AND em I Apblicat-ioii filed fehruai y nary A means, inretfed mfgq partying ow ng: to reducddad W ight! III addit on owing to the simplifi ation oftliepl e arid limination of jauxil uy Iiiziizhige'ry'; m a'in't'e nenee hosts; Y are reduced, and th j' cu mfled husf esulting'in a'icoil sidriibl di'ictionf ofwh runnifig costi f gri'a tlyfli'edueed costgof p1 opening e e I the jcoustruction and er 'arigements th reef" hier was" eircyjrquirfle'meutj mid "its driving 'me aiis "may :1 lie -readily faiid conveniently repaired '01: 'repleeed without" doeki'iig thefves self I111 some'of thetapplieaexeitf'the full power ith'th'e' samefcoi suiripe"; tion Whether the vessel is running steruor 5, ahtt'dfifid as the prepel ler in these arrange- 1 ment s' is always running iin o e direction;

" 'a'stern running." 1 The usual largefunnel's' may be dispensed with, merely it sma'll fui nel 01 duct be ng required Wlth" somefafra igee; ments for the escape of furnace gases untll The improved method 0f propelling ewater crafitcohsists iii applyinggfiuid motive tjorce direot to immersed propelling means situated externally of the'main hull orfintei'poeed in; a tube"passingthroiigh the essel and open tothe water at botheiidseiid the imp' died ibiserih in."

, a -mngemems g thef p' eni'n'g u it Iisi; di'fi i m mmy ope .iemonnted in atuiiileloift z A Y Y through opatt-achedto the veselhull' but ex 7 1 3-0213113316 WATER" CRAFT" rapenmg emeansi compriseal'pi'ep'ileffh ing' "cirivi'nggme ne ii'morpofeted; eoiiib u' and arranged therewith '1 (Iefeiired to 'es" 'pio peliiiig' unit) necessary lmoiiliti 'ca'e, supports pipesfand icof 1101' Hie'aifs whe motive force sueh 'as steam a ild ge gen e eted within, the iv e ss e'li is applied t6 thefpropelliiig T uiiit w 'rot'zite szuii ej T 'for' fofwiti d l' df reverse propulsion; Slitlhii piieatian'and i6 ti'ou is' controlled and reguletd jahd in SOIHIIAIIQJ i abiefwheifehji t e es elbei steered Without a'ii ordinary, steei'iiigifr iddefi' the spent fluid motive force diseliiaLfg'iiigir'ito the ake-of the propeller. i V

" 11 1 Someaifang'emehtSth ie a "11 Julian ubef formed i rowhewater A. r The prepellin unit cousi'sts of ar pene" heviiig cqmbin d therewith fai tur bine op able'by fluldmotlve force such as, steam enerated 1n boilers or,,.geI eratore-ai1d/or gases e. I I U -co1nbinatio n""of ail} "of the diielitioiiedi gor tides ofthef inventlon the propeller is able to 7 other suitzible fluid inoti i ie foreesl 'Iihe coi'i struction of turbinepfefexfredi s of the single tage,mu plejm ;z mp ls type- Thep oelling uuit'beingimifiersed in the water; the exhaust passes away F'With the :Water in raj: stern-Wise direction; and" where the propel-Q; ling u11-it; interposed in 5L tube of tun'nelion or' through; the vesselfhull the enefgi of the speutfiuid'motive force discharged from the propelling; unit is' utilized, and the p'r'eiene I due to the water pa'seiiig thi dugh thetubei resuiengir-oin eiplosion pr; cpmbugeenp V 11 0m thatthe'inuei tihii an r'a iegi' ap-pli'oet'ione thereof ill'berea dilyjundef stood the same will be deeeribed with reef? ac ll-t ence to the accompanying drawings in which;

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional elevation of an arrangement in which the propelling unit intended to be driven by steam, gases, or compressed air is mounted in a casing situ ated within the vessel and interposed in and in communication with a tube or a tunnel open at both ends to the water at or near one end or both ends of the vessel.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation on the line 2-2 in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional elevation of a simple propelling unit and mountings to permit of revolution to attain reverse proulsion and steering and is suitable for affixi'n" externally of and at the stern of a vessel as indicated in Figures 19 and 20.

' Figure 4 is an end elevation of the propelling unit and its mounting but with the aifixtures as in Figure 3 omitted.

' Fi re 5'is a transverse sectional elevationa of a propelling unit and mountings adapted to be revolved in order to attain reverse propulsion and which are suitable for 'tioning within a vessel and interposing 1n a tube connected to the ships hull or through the latter and open at or near each end thereof as shown in outline in Figures 1s, 21, 22 and 23,

Figure 6 1s a plan view of the propelling unit in Figure 5, but with the top half of the mounting case removed, I

Fi re 7 is a vertical sectional elevation 01: the hue 7-7 in Figure 5, v

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the propeller rim and mounting case showing a method of assembling turbine blading and which has been devised to facilitate and expedite the assembly or replacementof the blading,

Figure 9 is a side elevation and Figure 10 is a section of one complete turbine blade element or unit, 7

Figures 11 and 12 are transverse section and partial plan of the blade ring of a turv bine element,

Figures 13 and 14 are the same views with blades assembled on the blade ring,

Figure l 15 is a transverse section of the formed blade ring and blades'thereon.

Figure 16 is an enlarged fragmentary ver tical section of the turbine blading and fluid motive force nozzles of the propelling unit shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7,

Figure 17 is a fragmentary sectionalelevation of dual propelling units and mount- Figure 18 is a diagrammatic plan of a typical arrangement of a single reversible propelling unit of the type shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7 with steam and waste gas connections from two boilers,

Figures 19 and 20 are elevation and plan respectively, Figures 21 and 22 are elevation and plan respectively, and Figure 23 is an elevation of vessels showing practical applications of the improved method of propulsion.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 showing an arrangement for interposing in a pipe or tunnel open to the water at each end at or near one end or both ends of the vessel, the mounting case 24 which is in horizontally disposed halves boltedtogether has end jointing flanges 25,a nnular steam chest 26, nozzle ports27 therefrom, and an inlet branch 28 for connection to a supply pipe, the intake end 29 being smaller than the discharge end 30, and the upper half being vertically divided and jointed as at 31 to permit of assembly of and access to the internal parts.

Either integral or removably afiixed within the case 24 is a spider, having a central bored boss 32 and arms 33 which are preferably of astreani line in cross section and may be set angularly to the axial line to reduce the resistance due to the flow of the water or to utilize a portion of the thrust from the water leaving the propeller. The propelling unit comprising a propeller of any desired number of blades 34 from a bored hub 35 and an annular rim 36 is revolvably mounted upon an axle 37 which has, on the free end an abutment collar 38 and a threaded projection 39 whereon is astream line cap 40, and at the other'end a reduced portion 41 to fit through the bore of boss 32, and a threaded projection 39 for a retaining nut 42 and a stream line conical cap 43, thrust collars 44', and packing not shown, are emplaced on the axle at each face of the propeller hub 35, and a lubrication passage 45 is provided through one of the arms 33 and the axle 37 and is connected to a source of supply within the vessel. Within the case 24 are arranged as hereinafter described a plurality of stationary turbine blades 46, and upon the rim 36 of the propeller are arranged as hereinafter described a pluralit of turbine blades 47 which travel between t e stationary blades 46 as the propeller is revolved.

In the operation of this arrangement, the fluid motive force passing through the inlet 28 to the chest 26 issues through the nozzles 27 and exerting its force through the turbine blades 46 and 47 the propeller is revolved, waterbeing drawn through the intake 29 and expelled through the discharge 30 and the vessel is so propelled. To attain reverse propulsion with this embodiment of the invention it is necessary to provide a propelling unit arranged in reverse direction.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4 which show a reversible arrangement of propelling means, the propelling unit is as before described, but the mounting case is formed with a radially disposed hollow shaft which is revolvably mounted in a suitable hub supmessages:

ingi it. when required. y

' posed hollow shaft 49- which has. inletipas sage 28rwhichis adapted .to be. swivel -jointed: as at to apmotive force supply pipe;51', and; is, in communication; with annular: chest :26; saicll shaft 'being revolivably mounted iira hub i 52, which is i secured- 300,v the; exterior ofiithei Vessel hull orforms'azbranch from a pipe; or tunnel whenthis "arrangement of propelling, 1 unit is to vbe interposed ithereim, and: is uprot-v I 1 controli valve einterposeid betweenheithem "or-1 1 vided' with renewable hearing bushes; 53, and

isi'etainedby a worm wheel 54 or other mai- V nipulati've means whichjis keyed t'oittandby a nut5'5,saidwheel 54 beinginmesh withaen operableworm 56, and suitable 1p aching-being 2Q,

' tended for interposition in Ja tube arranged in; the 'ships V hull {or i passing; therethrough L fromend toend whereit is'opentocthe watery. andwhich will permit ofthe unitbeing -reg Volvedthrough: 180?: so, that. propulsion .can'j be effected in -opposite' directions; that is aheadzancl astern,1 andisconstructed-as va;

; is interposed in the gwater tubei: The L-Ollter zl'es V75 :thereirom faxid cross: passages -76 ling unit in one-form are illu'strated Fig- (Figure 16,), connectingfiit With5inlets-77. T10

said inlets are connected theainner ends'loi v p p transversely of a b'as'efor carrying ring-83 130' 5: pipes .78 which are within the trunnions- 62 port and isproVidefcl; with means forzrevolv 'z provided to preventwater' enteringthei vessel. Figuresfi, ligand! 7 show: a reversible; er rangementpof propellingiunitwhich 1s 'ine combinedisteami'andgas driven turbine, andz whenrusecl in conj unctioni with" conical Ven-i tur-i tubes, as; explained in. Figure; 18 "when", connected to the furnace: of azboiler; iwill induce a draught therefrom; :Inthiszconstruc i tion the mountingjcase is constituted'of 'adis charge end 5T,"WhiCh'fhtlSfllBflIlHlS33 and axles boss32 therein, andandntakeend38 both of? a which :ares'ecured to, an; encircling supports itheimounting'case'ia T inginember 159 which-ism diametrical halves i and bolted' together 'asshown; 'lli-saidrirnema "ber (Figure 5) is formed :an annular't 'gas chest lwith j ets ornozzles (SI/therefrom; and a a pair of ;0 ppos itelyclisposed:radial eXten-i; sions which form hollow trunnions- 62iwhere-V; $5; on are formeclj ou-rnalsc63i Theseiwjournals are, mounted with packingijglands 64 inibear 1 f ings 63, formed in zangouter case fifi WhlQhfiSiIIm horizontal; halves belted 4 together; as} shown and'has. endCoupling-fia'nges (ST-'byiwhichiit-g I v i6i Nd'zzles6l are or -may b formed partlff 1'1'5 v end Of each journal63 whichisprovided with r packing gland 68 receives the endoifbe'ndJGQr 0115a branch70 of a gas pipe7'1ifrom acorn; bustiQns chamber'or other? .isource of supply;- On one ofthe journals63; is-afii'xed a, worm wheel1 1'I2 in mesh=with-a worm'73jadapted tot-J be. driven in either direction soi thatfithe; mounting .ease maly beireyolved end to end so i as isv necessary .to eife'ctkreverse propulsion; j "Also formed in said :supPQrtingmemberfiQ is an iannulansteanl chamber: jihaying .nz:-

,andz-z areiirevolvably mounted: thiloughn the i H 'bendsuGQ' which;are?providedrwith;packing?n Themountingmase24 which'has-a remove;

ablylsecured lower portion 48 right hand end: 9in Figure 8) is formed with a radiallyidi'sf glands-179.? A Over saidnuterliendsare securede the connecting'ipieees'a80; which aretconn ectedl to theflbitanchesfil fi'omi steamipipefilllt Ste? 70 tionary x turhinegihlades 46:? arranged and: secured-as .hereinaft'eredescribed: arei seeurede within; the: supporting member-i 5 9; a-ndirth'ee v propelleryhaving. lflimfl 3&mcarrying; turbine blades 47 sismountedrupon ax1e;37 secured in- 5 V the.:boss 325otthe a'rms'q33' within the disJ: charge;end:-57 -as zdscribed iwith referenceeto'a Figurel I, i

If desiredctheriouter case?fifik mayihavei'a In the operhti'onfloffthi's arrangement-1t ink;

; starting up,: the mountingsfcasezwith theirpro pel-l-ingunit therein is -moved,? by operation-oh wormfi3Ean'd'lwheelff2,to inid position so that the outlet endi57 oftthei case -is'nn te ;.-;thensj V suflioient steam :is za li Wedft'o ifiow through? Pip 2; b an he 1 Pi 78 -h s se t intochamber 274 from which itissues through- '1- the gnozzle's 175 1 (Figure 16-)1 o it-he tenbine blades 47 and lii in ,order to just ke'ep the propelling unit revolvingso as to unifdrinly v heati uplisaid iunit 4 and to exp'el'iiwa'terfrom' To propeliin a l yiidireetiong -the -mountif1fi' 7 case is turned to-thecorrect position softh at the propelling iunit iwill have propu-lsiVe; ef -E feet ,eitherf ahead ior aster n with 3' 11st suf ficient 1: steam" to: keep the' uni running) Requisite steam is then allowedte fl'ow tone quire the; speed requiredg- 1 To reverse a! from;-

one; Idireetionwto another; steam: need not "be" shut off, but should reduced bymeans-of a throttle or other walw' e which may-beeom- V trolled from the reversing? g'e'arior from a cam attached-tonne 'ofi the'trunni onsg so that i the supply is redueed duringthe motion to s' mid position increased Jfr'oifl mid to the P ahead or astern p I sition; asijthe caseim'ay he pipg: 7 branches 7Q bends l69 antl trunnion 62- into annularf che'st fjand" issue thiidugh" thenozzles 61 to 'lth'e turbineblades -47' anl i forthe waste'gases-toj aet uponq" 1 I The constructions; arrangenients and asa s'embly {of the turbine-;b-l-ades of the 1 propel ures 8} to 16, I Upon andlat requisite pitch} iliwastlfdrl'other' s s g s newsman;

thepturbine blades beginning 1st havi a channel 84in theinner face, and

ui'sitel circumferentially spaced through slots.85 into said channel 84, disposed at requisite pitch transversely of the ring 83, the turbine blades 86 having each end shouldared as at, 87 are assembled, then the .in-.

serted blade ends are secured in the ring 83 by completely weldingup the channel 84 to form a SOlld mass, whereafter the ring 83 is turned to the cross section shown in Figurec15.' A key way. 88 is provided in the 83 for keyingvthe latter .to, the propel er rim 36;

The opposite ends of the blades are inserted through similar slots inca shroud ring 89 and are riveted to secure them and are then trued ofi. If desired the shroud ring by the interlockin .of the other units and spacing rings, an by the retaining rings and bolts. 4

In the reverse form the base or carrying rin 83 isoutward and in reverse position an the shroud ring 89 is secured to the centripetally disposed ends of the blades 86.

The propeller rim 36 hasformed in its, periphery a series of seats for the carrying ring 83 there being a medial spacing or abutmentring 90 with a channel 91 in each side, a steppedseat 92 at each side thereof,

' and outwardly of each, another stepped seat 93 with a channel 94 in the shoulder, each edge of the rim 36 being turned and threaded for reception of a retaining ring nut 95, the forward one of which has formed on the outer face thereof annular rings '96 to preventleakage of steam to the water or water to the steam space when running.

A com lete turbine ring element 83a and 83b is sli upon the ring36 against the ring 90, avspacing ring 97 of requisite section is slid'against-each, then acomplete turbine rirtg element 830 a-nd83d is slid thereagainst, an dthe retaining nut is applied andtight? 5, 7, 8 and 16 has formed upon the inner face, ashoulder orabutment 98 and from there a series of seats 99, 100 and 101 for turbineu ring elements 83e, 83f and 83g, seats 102 and 103 for spacing rings 104 and 105, and a seat ocking ring 107 all arranged in echelon and'each having a channel 108 in the 106 for a shoulder, and tightening bolts ,109 each through a lug 110 to tighten and hold the turbine ring elements and the spacing rings in position. The ring elements and spacing blocks are slid into position against the shoulderl 98 in the order 83a, 104, 83;, 839,105, and 107, and the bolts 109 which had been retired are then advanced and tightened against the ring 107 and the whole aresecurely held in place.

In Figure 17 is shown the construction and arrangement of a twin propeller unit with separateastern turbine desi ed for interposition in a water tube as efore described. The mounting case 111 is in horizontal halves bolted together insuitablemanner and hasend coupling flanges 112 ahead intake and astern discharge end 113, ahead discharge and astern intake end 114, ahead steam pipe 115 open to annular ahead steam chest 116 having nozzles 119 formed therewith by a ring 120 secured by screws 121, an annular path 122 with passages 123 therefrom and open at the end 113 of thecase, astern steam pipe 124 open to annular steam chest 125 which has nozzles 126 formed therewith by a ring 127 secured by screws 128. Within the case 111 towards each end is a spider or bracket having arms 129 from central bored and threaded boss 130, and a rim 131 which fits in annular seat 132 in the case 111 and is secured by bolts 133. Such brackets receive and support an axle whereon is revolvably mounted the twin propelling unit arranged and secured as hereinafter described. The propelling unit is arranged in combination but the propellers are independently revolvable. The forward propelling unit has a propeller 134 having turbine blades secured upon its rim 36 as described withreference to Figures 8 and 16, and the after propelling unit has a propeller 135 with rim 136 and an outer rim 139 spaced therefrom but integral therewith by webs or vanes 137 which form transverse passages 138 therebetween, and on said outer rim 139 a threadedly engaged turbine blade carrying ring 140 locked by screws 141. This rin has its free end threaded for engagement t ereon of a ring nut 142 which has at its inner end a blade ring seat 143, and from such edge said rin 140 has on each face turbine element ring an spacing ring seats each with a channel in the shoulder for reception and holding of turbine element rings and spacing rings ,as

described with reference to Figures 8 and 16, h I 1 the turbine element rings and spacing rings The mounting case 24, asin Figures 1 to 4, andthe supporting member 59 as in Figures 1 being assembled in requisiteorder commencing against the last shoulder towards the enga ed end, and secured and locked in position y application of the ring nut 142. In the base of the annular path 122 are formed in echelon turbine element ring, spacing rin and locking ring seats, the element rings and spacing rings being assembled in proper order commencing against the shoulder nearest the nozzles 126, whereafter the locking ring 144 of requisite cross section is emplaced and secured by the screws 145 thus locking all the rings in position.

The propellers are mounted and revolvably any ashes that may be'carried over from the b01181 flues, the mixture of gases and steam at atmospheric pressure passing from the separators 176 into branch pipe 177 and hrough pipe 71 and branches 70 (see Figure 5) to the chest (Figure 5) of the propelling unit. A common steam pipe 82 from each boiler is connected by branches in the manner shown in Figures 5, 6, 7 and 16 to the steam chamber 74 of the propelling unit. In this arrangement the water (sea) tube 178 is constructed as a Venturi tube and an isolatingvalve 179 is interposed between the ends of the tube 178 and the outer case 69 (Figures 5, 6 and 7) of the propelling unit. The Venturi tube construction is adopted in order to obtain a pressure drop between the branches and the out-let from the nozzles Figure 16) in order to induce a flow from t e furnace to the exhaust. In addition, by thismeans a greater efficiency is obtained in the steam actuated propelling unit by reason of the'greater heat drop possible with a given boiler pressure; 1 In Figures 19 and 20 is illustrated a convenient application to a vessel of the con-,

Istruction shown in Figures 3 and 4, the

mounting case 24 of the propelling unit bein supported externally of the hull, and the boilers 167 and 168and steam pipes 76 and waste duct 181 being arranged as shown.

' In Figures 21 and 22 is illustrated a convenient application to a vessel of the construction and arrangement shown in Figures 5, 6, 7 or Hand 18, the water tube 178 of Venturi design being connected to the outer case 69 of the propelling unit, and the boilers 167 and 168 and steam pipes 76 being arranged as shown.

1 In Figure 23 is illustrated an application as in Figures 21 and 22 but with the water tube 178 being arranged and disposed between an opening at the bottom or the keel forwardly from the stern and an'opening at the stern. I Y

A plurality of any of the constructions described could be arranged as twin or multiple systems of propulsion when and where it is desired to have a plurality of independent propelling means as with ordinary twin or multiple propulsion means.

Iclaim:' v v 1. Improved propelling unit for water craft consisting of a propeller with a rim formed upon and encircling the tips of all I the blades, turbine blades carried upon said rim, a mounting case within which said pro- :i peller is revolvabliy mounted, coactingturby said case, and means me blades carrie 2. Improved propelling means for water craft comprising a case open at both ends, adapted for interposing in a tube through the vessel hull, and having a fluid motive force inlet to a chest having nozzles therefrom to to revolve in said bearings, a propeller and having,

mam

the passage of said case, and an annular arrangementof fixed turbine blades 1n sa1d passage, and revolvably mounted in said passage a propeller having a rim formed upon andencircling the tips of all its blades and carrying coacting turbine blades.

3. Improved propelling means for water craft comprising a case, propeller, and turbine blades as set forth in claim 1 said case having formed therewith a radially disposed hollow journal for mounting through a bearing formed in or on the vessel hull and being revolvably connectible to a fluid motive force pipe, and means secured to or in engagement with said journal whereby same may be volved as desired.

, 4 Improved propelling means for water therefrom, and an annular chest (74) with nozzles therefrom, in communication with said chest (60) hollow trunnions revolvabl mounted in sa1d case and carrying turbine b ades (47), coacting turbine blades is46) carried withm said mountin case a uid motive force ipe (70), wit angled branches (69) revo vably connected to said trunnions, means such as a worm wheel (72) 1 upon said trunnions for revolving the mounting case as desired, and a fluid motive force pipe (82) having branches 81) connected 1) pipes (78) through said ang ed branches 69 and said trunnions (62) to said chest 4). 5. Improved propelling means for water craft comprising, a mounting case (111)1 adapted for interposition in a tube throng a vessel and open at both ends to the water, an ahead fluid motive force inlet (115) open to a chest (116) having formed therewith nozzles (119) directed to one side of an annular path'.(122) in said case, an astern fluid motlve force inlet (124) open to a a chest (125) having formed therewith nozzles, (126) directed to the other side of said path, a plurality of passages (123) from the opposite side, of sa1d path to the bore of the case near theend (113) thereof and at a plane outwardly of the first mentioned nozzles 119) a series of fixed turbine blades secured in the base of said path, a rimmed spider orannular bracket (131, 129, 130) sefor directing fluid motive force to said blades.

cured in said case towards each end thereof, an axle (146) secured in said brackets, and right and left hand propellers (134 and 135) revolvable u on said axle, the forwardpropeller (134) aving a rim (36) carrying turbine blades upon its periphery, and the after propeller having a rim, (136) and spaced therefrom an outer rim (139) having secured thereto a ring 140) projecting across o the forward propeller path and, the case a th and carrying upon its inner and outer aces a series of turbine blades arranged to coacti respectively with the blades carried by the forward propeller rim [(36) and those secured in the case path (122); i V 6. Improvedpropelling means for water craft comprising the combination and arrangementwiththe parts stated in claim 5 of a I slotted closure ring rotatable in the end of the case to'close and open the passages (123) from the path in said case, and operable means in engagement with said ring and connected into the vessel whereby said ring may be manipulated.

'7. Improved propelling means for water 7 craft comprising the means stated in claim linterposed with a control valve (179) at each end 7 between Venturi tubes (178) through the vessel and open at each end there of, a waste gas pipe (17 5 fromeach furnace: through a separator (176) tothe outer case of the propelling unit, and a'steam'pipe (82) from each boiler to the steam inlets of the propelling unit. 7 7 ALEXANDER MCKENZIE PRATT. 

